Light and sound signaling system



g- 1941- J. H. HAMMOND, JR 2,252,849

LIGHT AND scum) SIGNALING SYSTEM Filed May 14, 1958 u j Z is; z 'T' IINVENTOR JOHN HAYS HAMMOND, JR.

20 AT OR E Patented Aug. 1 9, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LIGHT AND SOUND SIGNALING SYSTEM I John Hays Hammond, Jr., Gloucester, Mass. Application May 14, 1938, Serial No. 207,871

1 Claim. '(Cl. 177- -329) This invention relates to signaling systems and more particularly to an improved system in which a light and asound signal are produced simultaneously.

-An object of the invention is to combine the usual running light of a vessel with a brilliant, penetrating fog light.

Another object is to provide an improved and eflicient fog light.

Another object is to provide a combined fog light and sound signal.

The invention also consists in certain new and original features of construction and combina tionsof parts hereinafter set forth and claimed.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and parts will be identified by specific names for con- 1 venience, but they are intended to be as generic in their application to similar parts as the art will permit.

I have found that an overvoltage light, such as a photoflood light produces rays which are extremely penetrating and can be seen in a fog for long distances. These lights are designed to burn at a given normal brilliance when energized at a standard voltage but burn with intense brilliance when operated at an overvoltage, the intensity increasing approximately as the cube of the energy supplied to the lamp. They are, however, capable of operating at such overvoltage for short periods only.

I accordingly utilize an overvoltage light as a combined running light and fog light, energizing the same normally at the constant voltage for which the light is designed to produce a low in-' tensity running light. For fog signal purposes I apply an overvoltage to the light for short intervals to produce flashes of great brilliance which are effective in penetrating fog. I also utilize the overvoltage source to energize a sound signal so that the latter operates simultaneously with the light flashes.

Referring to the embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawing and more particularly in Fig. 1, a source of illumination II is provided, which may be a lamp of the photofiood type, above mentioned, which gives an intense illumination in which the longer and fog penetrating wave lengths predominate, with a short life at normal voltage, but which will give a normal illumination with a long life at a reduced voltage. The lamp ll may be mounted in any suitable housing 12 which is shown as being provided with a Fresnel lens system l3 of usual construction.

The lamp H is connected through a switch l5 to one side of a source of power, such as a battery I6, and to a contact [1 of a key J8. This key is made of conducting material and is at all times connected to the other side of the battery IS. A back contact [9 of the key I8 is connected through a resistor to one blade of the switch I5.

A sound producing means such as an electric siren 2| is connected through a switch 22 to one side of the battery" It and to a third contact 23 of the key [8. i

In the operation of th system, with the switches I5 and 22 closed the lamp II will give a normal illumination at a reduced voltage due to the drop in voltage produced by the current paming through the resistor 20. This light may be used as one of the standard running or riding lights of the vessel and at this reduced voltage will have a normal long life.

When it is desired to produce a signal, the key It is operated for a brief interval, thus disconnecting the resistor 20 and connecting the lamp ll directly across the battery [6. This causes the lamp II to produce a high intensity of illumination which is capable of penetrating a dense fog for a long distance. At the same time a circuit is closed from the battery l6 to the siren 2| which causes it to emit an audible fog signal.

Referring to the modified form of the invention shown in Fig. 2, the lamp H, casing I2, lens l3, switch l5, battery l6 and contact I! are the same as those shown in Fig. 1. In this case, however, the key I8 is eplaced by a lever 25 which is made of conducting material and is provided with a handle 26 of insulating material.

A whistle 21 is provided and is supplied with compressed air or steam from any suitable source not shown, by a pipe 28. The supply of compressed air or steam is controlled by avalve 29, the arm of which is connected by a rod30 to the handle 28.

In the operation of this modified form of the invention, when the switch I5 is closed the lamp H will be constantly energized to provide 9. normal illumination, as already described. When the lever 25 is operated the resistor 29 will be disconnected and the lamp II will receive the full voltage of the battery 16, thus causing it tobe intensely illuminated for a brief interval. At the same time the valve 29 will be opened causing the whistle 21 to be sounded.

Although the light would have a short life it operated continuously at the overvoltage, the present system, which applies the overvoltage only at intervals, utilizes th penetrating effect of the light without greatly reducing its useful life.

Although only a few of the various forms in which this invention may be embodied have been on a given normal voltage and having the 'characteristic of producing an intense light having great fog penetrating power when energized at a given overvoltage, .means normally energizing said lamp at said normal voltage to constitute a usual running light of the vessel, and means selectively energizing said lamp at said overvoltage for signaling purposes.

' JOHN HAYS HAMMOND, JR. 

